Darwin's Tubercle Belongs to Woolner

Combined genome-wide association study of 136 quantitative ear morphology traits in multiple populations reveal 8 novel loci

“…Our study sheds light on the genetic basis of the Darwin tubercle, a special ear phenotype that is equivalent to the ear tip of other mammals and represents a trace of human evolution [ 11 , 46 ]. Previous genetic studies on this trait have been limited and have not produced significant results.…”

Darwin’s Tubercle: Review of a Unique Congenital Anomaly

“…Although its discovery is often attributed to the evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin, hence giving rise to the moniker “Darwin’s tubercle,” the posterior prominence of the auricular helix was actually first described by English sculptor and poet Thomas Woolner, who theorized that it was an atavistic feature [ 1 ]. Woolner’s sculpture of a figure “Puck” depicted a creature with pointed ears and drew the attention of Darwin.…”

“…Woolner’s sculpture of a figure “Puck” depicted a creature with pointed ears and drew the attention of Darwin. In a letter in 1869 from Darwin to Woolner, the former thanked the sculptor for sending him a drawing of the figure and referred to the prominence on the helix as the “Woolnerian tip” [ 1 ].…”

“…Darwin later developed a theory on the origins of the “Woolnerian tip,” writing that [ 1 ] The helix obviously consists of the extreme margin of the ear folded inwards; and this folding appears to be in some manner connected with the whole external ear being permanently pressed backward. In many monkeys, which do not stand high in the order, as baboons and some species of macaca, the upper portion of the ear is slightly pointed, and the margin is not at all folded inwards; but if the margin were to be thus folded, a slight point would necessarily project inwards towards the centre; and this I believe to be their origin.…”

Ear witness

“…The brim of the auricle (helix) is curved over the bowl of the ear (concha). Often the helix carries a slight prominence, the tuberculum auriculae that also has been called apex auriculae Darwini, tuberculum apicale, spina apicalis Darwini, Woolner-Darwin tubercle, 1,2 or usually, Darwin's tubercle. The helix starts in front of the concha with the crus helicis near the entrance (porus) of the external ear canal.…”